China cracks down on DNA testing

Genetic testing has grown to be a business big enough in China to warrant the government’s intervention. Early in February, the government quietly put the brakes on the provision of genetic tests to customers by domestic hospitals and a variety of medical and health institutions.

If the ban persists it could blunt the ambitions of Shenzhen-based BGI, which has the world’s largest gene-sequencing capacity, and its various competitors, including Beijing-based Berry Genomics, Hunan-based Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, and Shenzhen-listed DAAN Gene. BGI itself is in the process of preparing for an IPO to list part of its business.